Discussion

Mangosteens?

Hi. Do you know if it's possible to get Mangoteens in NYC at all, and if so where, and whether it's possible to get them this time of year? I have a very special 74th Birthday request that I'm trying to accommodate. Thanks!

Fresh mangosteens are available in Chinatown at certain times of the year -- I think summer is the season -- and I saw some for sale as late as October, which the vendor (on Grand, a few blocks west of the subway station) claimed were fresh, not frozen. I have not personally seen fresh ones more recently than that, though. I know that some have seen them out as early as February (Miss Needle reported a February sighting at the fruit stand next to Pho Tu Do a few years ago). Would frozen mangosteens do the trick? The flavor can be slightly bitter, unfortunately. Alternately, lots of markets also sell canned or jarred mangosteen.

the canned mangosteens are generally terrible. i would avoid buying this product if at all possible. if fresh isn't available, Trader Joes has freeze-dried pieces that maintain the flavor quite nicely, although the texture is a bit chalky.

Did you do a search, cimui? If not, I have to say you have an amazing memory! : )

Almcq, I was in Chinatown yesterday and did not see them. But I haven't checked out all of the shops. Unfortunately, I do think the chances of running into them are a bit difficult at this time of the year. But I hope you can prove me wrong and fulfill the birthday request. Mangosteens can be so wonderful.

Hah, no, I'm actually almost completely senile. I just remember you posting about finding fresh mangosteen in the winter a while back, but I had to do a search to see which month it was, exactly. Thanks for giving me the benefit of the doubt, though!

I walked around Chinatown -- mostly the eastern portions -- quite a lot, today, and didn't see any for sale, unfortunately.

coasts! What a great tip re: mangosteen at Trader Joe's! I had no idea they carried freeze dried mangosteen and will certainly look for it.